Dol. Cesar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming
To se perform'd the dreaded act, which thou
So sought'st to hinder.

Wilsin. A way there, way for Cesar!

Enter CESAR, and Attendants.

Do.. O Sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done.

Ces, Bravest at the last :

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths?
I do not see them bleed.

Del. Who was last with them?

As she would catch another Antony

In her strong toil of grace.

Dol. Here, on her breast,

There is a vent of blood, and something blown, *
The like is on her arm.

1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these
fig-leaves

Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves
Upon the caves of Nile.

Ces. Most probable,

She had pursu'd conclusions + infinite
That so she died; for her physician tells me,

Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the monument :-

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought She shall be buried by her Antony:

her figs :

This was his basket.

Ces. Poison'd then.

1 Guard. O Cesar,

No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them, and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which

This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,

spake:

I found her trimming up the diadem

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropp'd.

Ces. O noble weakness!

If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling; but she looks like sleep,

In solemn show, attend the funeral;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

Some part of the flesh puffed. + Tried experiments.

[Exeunt

1 Eufold.

AS it is intended, in the present collection of Shakspeare's Dramatic Works, to present in regular succession all such as have the scenery, characters, or manners, drawn from the same country, the sanguinary and disgusting Tragedy of Titus Andronicus is placed in immediate sequence to those that are essentially of Roman origin. The events, however, are not of historical occurrence, but were probably borrowed from an old ballad entered on the books of the Stationers' Company in the year 1593, about which period it may also have been written. Its identity, however, as one of Shakspeare's productions, rests on a very doubtful foundation. Dr. Percy supposes it only to have been corrected and re-touched by aim; but, says Dr. Johnson, “I do not find his touches very discernible." It is devoid of any striking sentiment-- it has none of the philosophic stateliness which generally distinguishes his plays---the anachronisms are gross---the language throughout is as tumid and laboured as the plot is horrid and unnatural ;---and the only approach to energy discernible in the play, occurs in the scene between Aaron, the nurse, and Demet ius. Indeed, there is internal evidence enough (in the versification, the character of the composition, the total difference of conduct, language, and sentiment, and also in its resemblance to several dramas of much more ancient date) to prove, with irresistible force, that it has been erroneously ascribed to Shakspeare. Dr. Johnson says, "All the editors and critics agree with Mr. Theobald in supposing this play spurious. I see no reason for differing from them; for the colour of the style is wholly different from that of the other play, and there is an attempt at regular versification and artificial closes, not always inelegant, yet seldom pleasing. The barbarity of the spectacle, and the general massacre which are here exhibited, can scarcely be conceived tolerable to any audience; yet we are tid by Jonson, that they were not only borne but applauded. That Shakspeare wrote any part, though Theobald declares it incontestible, I see no reason for believing."

3

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

SATURNINUS, Son to the late Emperor of Rome, | ÆMILIUS, a noble Roman. and afterwards declared Emperor ALARBUS,

BASSI himself, ther to Saturninus: an 200 CHIRON,

with Lavinia.

Sons to Tamora.

AARON, a Moor, beloved by Tamora.

TITUS ANDRONICUS, a noble Roman, General || A CAPTAIN,TRIBUNE, MESSENGER, and CLOWN; against the Goths.

MARCUS ANDRONICUS, Tribune of the People;

Romans.

Goths and Romans.

TAMORA, Queen of the Goths.

LAVINIA, Daughter to Titus Andronicus.
A NURSE, and A BLACK CHILD.
Kinsmen of Titus, Senators, Tribunes, Ofi-
cers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE: Rome, and the Country near it.

ACT I.

SCENE 1.-Rome -Before the Capitol. The tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the TRIBUNES and SENATORS aloft, as in the Senate. Enter, below, SATURNINUS and his Followers, on one side; and BASSIANUS and his Followers on the other; with Drum and Colours.

Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms;
And, countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title with your swords:
Iain his first-born son, that was the last
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome,
Then let my father's honours live in me,
Nor wrong inine age with this indignity.

Keep then this passage to the Capitol :
And suffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
To justice, continence, and nobility:
But let desert in pure election shine;
And, Romaus, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the
Crown.

Mar. Princes, that strive by factions and by
friends,

Ambitiously for rule and empery,

Know, that the people of Rome, for whom we
stand

A special party, have, by their common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,
Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius

For many good and great deserts to Rome;

Bas. Romans,-fri nds, followers, favourers of A nobler man, a braver warrior,

of my right,

If ever Bassianus, Cesar's son,

Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,

My title to the succession.

Lives not this day within the city walls:
He by the senate is accited home,
From weary wars against the barbarous Goths,

• Summoned.

And her, to whom my thoughts are humbled all, Oh! think my son to be as dear to me.
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
That I will here dismiss my loving friends,
And to my fortunes, and the people's favour,
Cominit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.
[Exeunt the Followers of BASSIANUS.
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in
my right,

Here Goths have given me leave to sheath my Secure from worldly chances and mishaps!